May 11, 2017

Municipal Road Aid Reminder

Municipal Road Aid Reminder

We are entering budget season and the KLC Legal Team would like to take this opportunity to remind our cities that they need to have a public hearing to get public input on road and bridge projects before spending municipal road aid funds.  KRS 174.100(1).  A lot of our cities have found that a good time to conduct this hearing is during the overall budget process.

Notice for the hearing must be given at least seven, and not more than twenty-one days before the hearing and before beginning work on any projects using road aid funds.  KRS 174.100(1).  At the hearing, any person may speak about any proposed project, any project that they wish to propose, project prioritization, and any other matter related to road or bridge projects in the city.  KRS 174.100(2).  The city is not bound by the testimony heard, but the city must give the testimony due consideration.  KRS 174.100(3).

A single hearing encompassing the entire road and bridge program of the city meets the statutory requirement.  Thus, your city might consider having this hearing as part of the overall budget process.  KRS 174.100(5).  In the alternative, it is also proper to have the public road aid fund hearings throughout the year as the need to expend the funds arise.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the KLC Legal Team at 800.876.4552.